Our first day off

We really haven't had a "day off" since we returned from Arizona a little over two weeks ago. Now, technically, this is not true but let me explain. When we got back from Arizona, we spent the first couple of days just trying to get back on schedule (read: slept alot) before school started. For some reason, the jet lag wake 'up at 2-am and not get back to sleep for three hours' thing really came into full force during that first week back at school. We had two school functions during that same week including our harvest party on Saturday. Believe it or not, I dídn't take a single picture at the harvest party as I was doing all of the grilling that day. However, I got to wear my trusty cow apron which everyone just loves. (Thanks Matt!). I lead worship on Sunday, which is another day of work (I know, I volunteered to do it, but it's still takes time...) Anyway, we really haven't had a day when we could sleep in, get ready at our own pace and not have something scheduled for the day until today. Yeah!

We started our Saturday with a trip to the farmer's market. Look at that blue sky! Even though the town hall clock is just approaching noon, you can see how long the shadows have become - it is certainly, inexorably moving toward winter. Pumpkins and beautiful gourds of all types are for sale here.
In Baselstadt, at their Rathaus, there is a special display of fall foliage - lovely plants that brighten the shorter days.
Since we had the day to ourselves, we decided to trek on over to Basel for the first day of the Herbstmesse (Fall Festival). It was such a beautiful day - wow, we were blessed. Our first stop was Petersplatz, a square bordered by the church of St. Peter and the University that is given over to booths of handcrafts, nummy things to eat and guys hawking the greatest window cleaning gadgets of all time. And, there is a merry-go-round in the middle! The picture below doesn't do justice to the number of folks out to visit the Herbstmesse.
This is the church of St. Peter along one side of Petersplatz. Oh, one of the things we tried last year and just had to repeat (it was the first place Delynn wanted to go) was a booth that sells hot cheese fondue in a bagette. I know, it sounds crazy, but it is only available at the fall festival and it is deliriously good.

Big, big ferris wheel over there at the Münsterplatz.
Delynn says "You can never have too many scarves." I like how her coat compliments the rack.
This is that big ferris wheel at the Münsterplatz. We didn't ride it yet this year - I should say, Delynn has not ridden it yet this year. I'm just not that comfortable with those heights. Did you see the picture earlier? This ferris wheel is taller than the cathederal! No thank you.
We did however muster up our courage to ride the "Circling Swings of Death" (I'm sure that's what it's called... It probably looses something in the translation) The ride looks deceptively simple, just a few chair swings chained to a circular roof structure. The roof raises and and rotates, sending the chairs outward via centrifugal force. But the fun doesn't stop there, oh no, THEN they start tilting the roof so that we swing up and down like a ship tossed on the ocean. Just look at the stark fear on Delynn's face!
Okay, so it wasn't that bad... We had a wonderful day off today. It was just what we needed. We reminded ourselves again why we love this place, why we are here and how wonderfully blessed we are.

Oh yeah, about the only good thing that is coming out of this economic hangover the world is experiencing is the exchange rate is tilting back in our favor. The € to $ exchange rate, which reached a high of 1.60 this August (i.e. 1 € costs $1.60) has fallen back to about what it was when we first seriously considered coming overseas about two years ago. As of today the exchange rate is 1.27 which means that instead of everything being screamingly expensive, things are now just expensive - but that's okay. For example, our monthly rent increased gradually to $185.00 more per month just due to exchange rate fluxuations. It is now back down to what we were paying when we first arrived. Hey, I'm just trying to put a positive spin on things. If we can't see the goodness in all the bad, we would just have to give up.


Also, some other really positive news. We were invited by a student's parents to their home for dinner last night. This is a huge thing in Germany (well, technically they live in Switzerland, but the mom and dad are both German and the part they live in is like a little pocket of Switzerland that pokes into Germany. The town has German borders on three sides). Germans tend to be slow (by American standards) to open up and invite people into their circle of friends. We were honored and humbled to be invited to share a meal and an evening with them. As we understand it, we are the first school staff members to be invited over, even though the family has had children attending Rhein Int'l Academy for like 3 years.


We are setting our clocks back tonight, so whatever time it is where you are, we love you and miss you. Live, love, serve others. Make a difference where you are. Have a God week.